Effects of waterlogging duration on the growth and yield of yard long bean ( Vigna sinensis var. sesquipedalis)

Abstract

After being waterlogged in sterilized soils for only 4 days, yard long bean plants and roots recovered rapidly, and their yield was not reduced significantly. The plants could adapt themselves to prolonged waterlogging and resumed vigorous development after a brief retardation of growth. Their yield was comparable with that of non-waterlogged plants. These facts suggest that yard long bean is rather tolerant of the direct effect of waterloggin, soil oxygen deficiency. When waterlogging was terminated after the completion of the adaptation, post-stress growth was retarded and the yield was reduced significantly. This indicates that waterlogged plants are subjected to a dual stress, with a first stress of soil anaerobiosis and a second stress associated with the removal of waterlogging.